Best 11 Dental Hygienist Schools in New Jersey

If you are interested in training to become a dental hygienist in New Jersey you will need to graduate from an accredited dental hygiene program. In this post, we have provided information on how you can go about it, including the best dental hygienist schools in New Jersey.

Have you been on the hunt for the best dental hygienist schools in New Jersey? Look no more. We have gathered some helpful information to guide you and make your application process a lot easier.

Dental Hygiene is a field that has garnered a lot of attention in recent years. According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. About 15,600 openings for dental hygienists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

In order to better understand the role of a dental hygienist, we only need to look at the ways in which they are different from Dentists. Dental hygienists work in a dental office and provide preventative oral care. This they do by cleaning patients’ teeth, taking x-rays, educating patients, preparing them for a diagnosis by the dentist, and more.

In order to become a registered dental hygienist in New Jersey, you will need to pass the board and licensing examinations; there are many dental hygienist schools in New Jersey that can prepare students for that. Most of these schools offer 2-year associate’s degrees in dental hygiene, whereas some others offer 4-year bachelor’s degrees in this field.

If you are looking for the best schools for dental hygienist programs in the United States as a whole, Michigan has some of the best ones, followed by texas, and then California.

Requirements for Dental Hygienist Schools in New Jersey

To apply for a Dental hygiene program in any 2- or 4-year school, you will be required to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. You may also need to have a minimum high school grade point average.

Below are some of the application documents that you may be required to submit:

Some dental schools are a bit easier to get into than others. If you are seeking the easy route, here is an article to guide you.

Average Cost of Dental Hygienist Schools in New Jersey

According to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, below are the average estimated total cost (In-State/District) of tuition and fees:

  • Associate degree: $22,692.
  • Baccalaureate degree: $36,382.
  • Master’s degree: $30,421.

Costs may be lower in community colleges and higher in universities. Students may be required to pay additional fees for books and supplies, room and board, transportation, personal expenses, medical insurance, and dental hygiene instrument rentals and purchases.

While you process your admission, you may also keep yourself busy with some of these free online dental courses. They offer you a certificate of completion at the end of each course.

Best Dental Hygienist Programs in New Jersey

  • Dental Hygiene associate of applied science degrees at Raritan Valley Community College
  • A Dental Assisting Program at Ocean County College
  • Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Middlesex County College
  • Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Rutgers University-New Brunswick
  • Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Brookdale Community College
  • Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Rowan College at Burlington County
  • Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Bergen County College
  • Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Union County College
  • Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Essex County College
  • Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene at Camden County College
  • Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene at Eastern International College-Jersey City

How to Become a Licensed Dental Hygienist in New Jersey

If you want to become a dental hygienist in New Jersey, you must be licensed through the State Board of Dentistry, which will require you to complete the following steps:

  • Complete a CODA-Accredited Dental Hygiene Program
  • Take and Pass the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination
  • Take and Pass the Commission on Dental Competency Assessments Examination
  • Apply for a Dental Hygienist License in New Jersey
  • Apply for a Permit for the Administration of Local Anesthesia
  • Maintain your Dental Hygienist License in New Jersey

dental hygienist schools in New Jersey

Best 11 Dental Hygienist Schools in New Jersey

According to Prepler, below are some of the best dental hygienist schools in New Jersey:

  1. Rutgers University-New Brunswick
  2. Raritan Valley Community College
  3. Middlesex County College
  4. Ocean County College
  5. Brookdale Community College
  6. Rowan College at Burlington County
  7. Bergen Community College 
  8. Union County College
  9. Essex County College
  10. Camden County College
  11. Eastern International College-Jersey City

1. Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Rutgers University-New Brunswick is one of three regional campuses of Rutgers University, a public 4-year research university in New Jersey. The institution is the second-oldest in the state with its other campuses in Newark and Camden.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers two dental hygiene/hygienist degree programs and is ranked 1st in dental hygienist schools in New Jersey.

With an acceptance rate of 67%, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a bit more competitive than its counterparts. For more details about the program, check the link below.

Visit school site

2. Raritan Valley Community College

Raritan Valley Community College is a public university based in Branchburg, New Jersey. The college has an enrollment of over 1405 bachelor’s degree candidates with an acceptance rate of 98%.

Raritan Valley Community College offers dental hygiene associate of applied science degrees, which is a joint degree program with the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). It has only 2 seats each year for the Dental Hygiene program. A student must be enrolled at RVCC and a resident of Hunterdon or Somerset County in order to apply for the Dental Education portion of the program.

3. Middlesex County College

Middlesex County College is another great option for the best dental hygienist schools in New Jersey. The college offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene with a curriculum that includes general education, science courses, and dental hygiene courses.

If you are interested in becoming a licensed dental hygienist, you can first enroll in their associate degree program in Dental hygiene where you will complete two years of academic study including clinical practice under the supervision of Middlesex County College faculty in the college’s Dental Hygiene clinic and external clinical practice sites.

During your final semester, you will be eligible to take the Dental Hygiene National Board and the North East Regional Board Examinations, and upon graduation and successful completion, you may apply for and take a state licensure examination.

4. Ocean County College

Ocean County College offers a dental assisting foundation course designed for students with little to no knowledge of the field. The course covers a range of topics which include anatomy, equipment, four-handed assisting techniques, hands-on presentation of dental procedures, infection control, instruments, materials, and terminology.

If you are looking for a program that takes more of the hands-on approach, then Ocean County College should be on your list because it includes job shadowing experience and a career development workshop. Upon successful completion of the Dental Assistant Course, you qualify as a Dental Assistant, and the program serves as a prerequisite for a Dental Radiology program.

5. Rowan College at Burlington County

Rowan College at Burlington County is a public community institute located in Burlington County, New Jersey, and one of the best dental hygienist schools in New Jersey. The College has an acceptance rate of 100% which makes it one of the easiest dental hygienist schools in New Jersey, with an enrollment number of 8500. 

It offers a two-year professional program leading to an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene (AAS.DHY) that prepares you for a career as a registered Dental Hygienist with a combination of classroom instruction and laboratory and clinical experience. 

If you are interested in this program, you are encouraged to attend one of the school’s Informational Seminars held periodically throughout the year.

Visit school site

6. Brookdale Community College

Brookdale Community College is a public university based in Lincroft, New Jersey. With an acceptance rate of 100% and over 8500 enrollment, the college is one of the easiest dental hygienist schools in New Jersey.

The college offers different dental hygiene programs under the healthcare major. If you are interested in enrolling in any of these programs, do well to visit the school website.

7. Bergen Community College

Bergen Community College is a public university based in Paramus, New Jersey. It provides an associate of applied science degree in dental hygiene which can last up to two years. The program is designed to incorporate didactic, clinical, technological, and laboratory teaching approaches throughout the curriculum.

Bergen Community College is the biggest among all the dental hygienist schools in New Jersey and it is ranked 7th in the state. The acceptance rate at the college is 100% and enrollment is 5,994 undergraduate students.

8. Union County College

Union County College is a public university based in Cranford, New Jersey. The college ranks 8th among the best dental hygienist schools in New Jersey as it offers a 2-year associate of applied science degree in dental hygiene.

If you are looking to pursue a dental hygienist degree and are not sure which school to go to, Union County College is a smart choice for an excellent education.

9. Essex County College

Essex County College is a public university based in Newark, New Jersey. Ranking 9th, the College is one of the best dental hygienist schools in New Jersey with two program options for students to choose from.

With an acceptance rate of 100% and an enrollment of 2,859 undergraduate students, Essex County College is somewhere you should be looking for a degree in dental hygiene.

10. Camden County College

Camden County College is a public university based in Blackwood, New Jersey. The college is one of the best options among the dental hygienist schools in New Jersey with a total enrollment of 8,122 students and a 100% acceptance rate.

The Dental Hygiene program at Camden County College is a two-year, full-time, daytime program that will prepare you to take national, regional, and state licensure exams in dental hygiene.

Visit school site 

11. Eastern International College – Jersey City

Eastern International College – Jersey City is a private for-profit university based in Jersey City, New Jersey. As one of the dental hygienist schools in New Jersey ranking 11th, the college offers a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree in dental hygiene.

Being the small institution that it is, the Eastern International College – Jersey City has an enrollment of 173 undergraduate students, and the acceptance rate is 100%.

Conclusion

There are more universities and colleges in New Jersey that offer dental hygienist programs, but these are the ones at the top of our list. If you are interested in attending the best schools for this program, you should definitely pick one from here as they have been ranked as the best dental hygienist schools in New Jersey by various reputable websites.

Dental Hygienist Schools in New Jersey – FAQs

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”How long does it take to become a dental hygienist in New Jersey?” answer-0=”It all depends on the type of program. A bachelor’s degree program in dental hygiene can take up to 4 years to complete, whereas an associate degree will take approximately 2 years.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”What is the salary of a dental hygienist in New Jersey?” answer-1=”The average salary of a dental hygienist in New Jersey is $86,581 in 2022.” image-1=”” headline-2=”h3″ question-2=”How many dental hygienist schools are in New Jersey?” answer-2=”There are currently 19 schools offering dental programs in New Jersey. A few out of these, however, are accredited by the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA).” image-2=”” count=”3″ html=”true” css_class=””]

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